Personal Pita Pizzas

The key word here is PERSONAL.
As in, this is just for me. Or just for you. I love you, but we're not sharing.

As a proud American, I know as well as you that pizza gives us life, liberty and the pursuit (and almost always achievement) of happiness. And word on the street says today is National Pizza Day - finally a political cause I can get behind.

Also - today is Fat Tuesday! The day in which we are encouraged to indulge before the doom of Lent comes creeping tomorrow morning. Better make that TWO personal pitas, amiright?

Just a few ingredients go into making these pizzas perfect: flavored hummus, seasoned meat and fresh toppings. Mix n' match your favorites to make this your own - go on, get personal with it.

My pizza was made up of garlic hummus, cinnamon-spiced lamb, chopped mint and sliced kalamatas. If you want to go more traditional, you could top the hummus with a little pizza sauce or even use a little melty mozzarella in lieu of feta (or in addition to... let's be honest). The pitas crisp under a broiler for a few minutes each side, and then finish under the broiler just to melt the cheese. Dinner will be yours... ALL YOURS... in less than 30 minutes.

Happy National Pizza Day; may you feel blessings on blessings on this treasured holiday.

Personal Pita Pizzas - Greek Style

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 5 mins | Serves 2

Ingredients

2 GF or whole wheat pitas, whole/unsliced

6 tbsp. flavored hummus (I love the Sabre Roasted Garlic variety!)

1/2 lb. ground lamb (can subst. lean ground beef or ground turkey)

1/2 yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. oregano

olive oil, for brushing pitas

salt and pepper

optional toppings

sliced shallots

kalamata olives, halved

sundried tomatoes

crumbled feta

shredded mozzarella

chopped mint leaves

Tzatziki sauce (recipe below)

tzatziki sauce

1 cup plain 2% greek yogurt

1 English or hothouse cucumber, peeled

1 clove garlic, minced

juice of 1/2 a lemon

The Steps

Brown & season meat: In a medium skillet, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil. Add in lamb (or beef or turkey) and break up with the back of your spoon. Season with 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper and 1 tsp. cinnamon, and cook until no pink meat remains. Remove browned meat with slotted spoon into bowl and set aside. Add diced onion and minced garlic to your pan, cook over medium low heat until onions are translucent. Add back in meat and stir to combine.

Set your broiler: Preheat your oven to its broiler setting. Brush each pita with olive oil, sprinkle lightly with oregano and place on cookie sheet. Broil for 1-2 minutes (watch carefully - things can burn very fast under broiler!) or until pita tops are golden brown and crisp. Flip over, brush with a little more olive oil & sprinkle more oregano. Repeat for second pita side and remove to cool slightly.

Top your pitas: Start by placing 3 tablespoons of hummus on each pita and spread gently to the edges with a spoon or spatula. Top hummus with seasoned meat and finish with your desired toppings (minus any fresh herbs or tzatziki - save those for after melting cheese). Place pitas back under broiler for 1-2 minutes to melt cheese, top with any fresh herbs and enjoy!

For Tzatziki Sauce: Grate peeled cucumber and squeeze in cheesecloth or clean dishtowel to remove excess water. Place into small bowl and combine with yogurt, lemon juice and minced garlic. Season to taste!

If you make this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, let me know what you think + be sure to tag any pictures with @TheSavvySpoon or #TheSavvySpoon on Instagram!